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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
Customizable Items Only
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights. This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Leopard Fur Pillow, Springbok Skin 16x16" 40x40cm
Located in Dural, AU
It's the season of wild and exotic leopard prints, so set your interiors free with this glamorous leopard fur pillow. A beautifully designed print, ...
Category

2010s Australian Empire Furniture

Materials

Fur

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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 Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

21st Century Yellow Double Bed by Modenese Gastone Interiors, Empire Inspiration
Located in PADOVA, Italy
This item is definitely a true masterpiece: yellow double bedwith empire-style decorations, pleated head and footboard with high-end customizable fabrics. Designed and produced by M...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

21st Century Empire-Style Bed Bench with Plated Fabric by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
This lovely pleated bench by Modenese Gastone Interiors will make a classy statement at the foot of a bed or as part of the decor in any living or night ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Empire Style Mahogany Center Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Empire style mahogany center table with six turned column-form legs with reeded baluster carvings all raised on a six-point star shaped plinth base set on molded edge feet. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Two Modern Trellis Back Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany lattice back armchair, the rectangular back enclosing a lattice of interlacing C's above an upholstered drop-in seat, on square tapering legs. Inspired by an Empire origin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Two Modern Trellis Back Dining Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany lattice back dining chair, the rectangular back enclosing a lattice of interlacing C's above an upholstered drop-in seat, on square tapering legs. Inspired by an Empire or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Wire

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, with its marble base, resume the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Bronze

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Wire, Iron

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiseled details. The backplate of this sconce is a central round plate wit...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twenty lights and features high quality handcrafted details. Top crowns in characterized...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style two-door cabinet is detailed with a single frieze drawer, column capitals, ivory-finish escutcheons, and set on raised block feet. The spacious interior fitted with a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Wire

Square Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top and Walnut Finish by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Green beveled marble top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Francois Empire Six Light Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
Francois Empire six-light chandelier, the ornate decoration on the arms, and the arrangement of the chains demonstrate exceptional casting in brass. With beautifully cast floral deta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Style extension dining table with carved pedestal, inset fold-out leaves, scrolled tri-base, and carved claw feet, with radiating veneer top. The table seats up to nine people...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rectangular Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Green beveled marble top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Gold Leaf

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 Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Gold Leaf Console by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Living room console with a fully gold-leaf decorated structure produced by Modenese Gastone Interiors. The empire-style four legs feature lau...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Oval Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans knowledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent oval c...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Square Coffee Table with Emperador Dark Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy the real Made in Italy luxury life style with this hand-decorated square coffee table. Emperador Dark marble top, solid empire-style wooden...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf

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 Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Square Side Table with Emperador Dark Marble Top by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy the real Made in Italy luxury life style with this hand-decorated square side table. Emperador Dark marble top, solid empire-style wooden s...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Marble, Gold Leaf

Deluxe Four Door Sideboard with Drawers and Radica Inlays by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Our bespoke cradenza with exquisite marquetry inlay wood work. This re-imagine classic piece is truely representing the essence of Modense Luxury Interiors. Every wooden details has ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Bar Stool in Black Finish with Gold Leaf Finish and Blue Italian Fabric
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exquisite empire-style bar stool in black finish with gold leaf applications. This seating item, which goes with the Modenese Home Bar set, has a damascus...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Armchair by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this breathtaking upholstered empire armchair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in deta...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Classic Victorian Dining Table with Inlaid Top and Walnut Finish by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A classic large briar table, with intricate inlay design top that can accomodate a warm gathering up to 10 seatings. Ornated with golden motif details all around the table to enhance...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Rectangular Coffee Table with Inlaid Top + Gold Leaf Finish, Made in Italy
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese Gastone is specialized in providing the highest quality standards to its VIP clients. This low coffee table features a hand-inlaid top surface that expresses the finesse of the brand's skilled artisans. Such a piece is most suitable in classic living rooms...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Artisanal Empire Console in Gold Leaf with Marble Top and Handmade Carvings
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Classic lavish console by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Embellish your social rooms with this high-end piece of furniture, that owes most of its elegance to the skilled hands of Modenes...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Noble Sideboard with Drawers in Natural Wood Finish and Radica Inlays
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative credenza in dark solid wood, with the classic floral wood inlay work that is visible all around the panel. On top of that the delicate hand carved, painted in gold is ad...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Round Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans kwoledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent round coffee table, that catches the ey...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Gold Leaf and Radica Inlays Sideboard by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Representing the best quality of the luxurious Italian artisanal furniture with this exquisite classic piece. Our classic baroque side board in solid wood, enriched with briar panels, handmade inlay work, Green picasso marble...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

21st Century Empire Dressing Table with Columns by Modenese Gastone White Finish
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Luxurious empire-style dresser by Modenese Luxury Interiors, Italian furniture producer. Made of solid wood with white laquered finish, plus empire-style wood carved columns, silver ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

48 Lights Chandelier in 24kt Gold Finish with Scholler Crystal Pendants
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Italian bespoke chandelier designed and produced by Modenese Luxury Interiors for contract projects and divine interiors. Its 24kt gold leaf finishe...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold Leaf, Gold, Bronze

Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

21st Century Empire-Style Vanity Unit with Columns by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Luxurious empire-style vanity unit from Modenese Luxury Interiors, Italian furniture producer. Made of solid wood with white laquered finish, plus empire-style wood carved columns, s...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Low Huge Flush Mount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier: Tailored Empire Elegance Introducing our new Montgolfière style chandelier, a magnificent embodiment of Empire splendor adorned with exquisite lead cr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Small Empire Style Ottoman in Red Damascus by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Tindy empire-style pouf in natural walnut finish and red-flowered damascus premium fabric. The high-end decoration work behind this tiny piece give it the attention such a piece shou...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Transparent Amphora in Bronze and Crystal by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Splendid transparent amphora by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Let your house shine with the bright glares coming from this precious item, which ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf

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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