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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Empire
Late 19th Century Empire style Wall mirror with Ormolu Bronze Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant small mirror, made in the French Empire style. The base os made of pine. The passe-partout is made of green colored canvas. Decorated on each side with ormolu bronze orna...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Category

20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass four
Located in Berlin, DE
**Set of 6 Available - Vintage Chandeliers from a Baltic Sea Castle** Here's a unique opportunity to acquire a set of 6 exquisite vintage chandeliers, each originating from a castle...
Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

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 Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Giltwood

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

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

Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our beautifully restored old chandelier from Berlin! This exquisite piece has been professionally refurbished with love, making it suitable for use in the US with its rew...
Category

1970s European Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

First Empire Period Bergere Chair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine 'Bergère' armchair in solid mahogany, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Empire Style Pair of Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this rare pair of Empire-style pedestals from 19th century, which are also suitable as end tables. They are adorned with beautiful gilded bronze ornamentation and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

1810s First Empire Bergere Chair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive 'Bergère' armchair in solid wood, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink and...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Beautiful Pair of French Empire Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of French Empire gilt and dark patinated bronze candlesticks from the 1820s. Decorated with flower baskets and bunches of grapes and a dark patinated column. Wear ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze. Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze with dark patinated column. French Empire during the 1820s. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Artwork wall panel handmade painting made in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
Virtue by Virtue Thorn for thorn Making a comparison between a plant (the pomegranate) and a character (Livia Drusilla) is a rather daring and perhaps a little bizarre idea, however...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Scagliola, Wood, Paint

Antique French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Bust Stand Cabinet 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb French Empire mahogany and ormolu mounted pedestal cabinet, Circa 1870 in date. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS PEDESTAL IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Enfilade
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French sideboard in solid oak style Empire country late nineteenth 4 doors, 3 drawers. This provincial piece of furniture is of great qu...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Baccarat Crystal Champagne Flutes Set of 6
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 6/eight tall Harcourt 1841 Champagne flutes by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. Pure, powerful and elegant ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Empire Style Commode Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French Empire style chest of drawers late 19th century. The wood is light cherry. Overall, the structure of the furniture is straight and absolu te. The surfaces are flat and inters...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Mahogany, Mahogany Feather and Oak Antique French Empire Bed, 1830s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Antique French bed from the first half of the 19th century. Empire furniture with full column carved and veneered in mahogany, mahogany feather and oak of excellent quality. Single a...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Empire-style Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890. The lamp ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Tavolino marmo bianco intarsiato e base in ferro battuto fatto a mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino da salotto realizzato con la tecnica decorativa dell' intarsio in scagliola su piano in marmo bianco Carrara, che appoggia su di un basamento in ferro battuto decorato in fo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron

Impressive 19th century French empire revival 5 piece bedroom suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
We are pleased to offer this 5 piece bedroom suite circa 1890. Suite comprising of a bed, wardrobe, dressing table and pair of night stands. Double bed with rich mahogany colour, r...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Original Empire Sculpture, Wood, Polychrome, Gold, Austria, 1800s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
In pristine original condition, the item has been professionally cleaned, and its polish has been revived by our refurbishing team in Czechia. Polychrome and gilded wood carving T...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Early 19th Century Pair of candelabras made in Berlin
Located in Stockholm, SE
Candelabras with place for three candles, made in Berlin about 1810. Gilded and patinated bronze. Decorated with a standing griffin with a women's face, gilded decorations and lion f...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table French, 20th Century Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850. Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark. Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge.  Below the to...
Category

1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany Veneer, 19th century Napoleon III RESTAURED
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire chest of drawers in mahogany veneer, 19th century Three drawers plus one under the gray marble top, columns on the uprights with gilt bronze capitals, cm 129x61,5x89 condic...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Style Secretary Made In Mahogany & Intarsia From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This impressive Empire style secretary from the year 1820 is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Hand-polished mahogany wood gives the secretary an elegant and ...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900. We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden. Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table.  Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant" Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm. Material: Mahogany wood Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm Materials: walnut wood and marble Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Sculpture of an Eagle in Silver Plated Metal, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, 20th century. Sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, could be a sculpture for a desk or a nice centerpiece, Empire style, ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

An Empire Period Mahogany Mirror
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
An Empire Period Mahogany mirror. Denmark, XIX Century.
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Empire Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque, Ormolu, France, Paris, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque - In the study room Paris fire-gilt bronze, enamel Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 28 x 19 cm Description: Scenery mounted on an oval...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large Early 19th Century French Terracotta Honey Coloured Lions
Located in London, GB
Fabulous pair of early circa 19th century French lions in a warm honey coloured terracotta. Both are stylised and life like, with manes, with one a bobbed tail seated upright and the...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Carved coconut from early 19th century
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
Very pretty, richly and finely carved coconut dating from the Empire period. With rotating decoration, it partly represents an admiral surrounded by two cupids holding the laurels of...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Coconut

Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat. Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt wood carved details. Resting on elegant turned tape...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Beech

19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890. Rectangular top with canted corners.  Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged aroun...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

Empire Swan Bronze Sconces 1930 Lighting France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An exquisite pair of two-light Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces from the 1930s. Drawing inspiration from the eighteenth century, these beautiful light fixtures demonstrate supe...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Inkwell with Imperial Eagle in Portoro Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We would like to present you with this magnificent 19th-century Empire-style inkwell from the Napoleon III era adorned with a raised imperial eagle motif positioned between the two i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th century French Empire Period Bronze Wall Light
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice wall lamp dating from the Empire period in gilded bronze with three palmette lights, the frame is leafy. Good condition. Electrification up to standards.
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Tavolo tondo Impero Lucca 1810 da centro stanza piano in breccia antica
Located in Lucca, IT
Tavolo Tripode 1810 Periodo dell'impero Lucca Tavolo tondo antico autentico da centro piano in marmo breccia antica , spessore del marmo cm 2 . Il tavolo è in noce ,tutto original...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Breccia Marble

Pair of 19th century French empire mahogany and walnut beds
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century french empire mahogany and walnut beds circa 1890. Fine quality pair of large single beds of the empire revival period.  Beautifully made from walnut and mahoga...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Early 19th Century Empire Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Empire 3 Drawers Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top, Early 19th Century Hand carved, hand painted and hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian red toned color. The clean lines and el...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

EARLY 19th CENTURY ROUND WALNUT TABLE WITH MARBLE TOP
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful walnut coffee table with a refined central frame in ebonized and gilded wood. The triangular-shaped base is supported by turned and ebonized pine cones, while the band has ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre - Pêcheur - 18ème
Located in TOULON, FR
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre églomisé Pêcheur Italie 18ème siècle signé Chanato, Porto (quartier de naples) sous le socle 32 cm 1,3 kg
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp Amazing old bronze patina The lamp has been re-wired. Shade not included The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade Free UK shipp...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Spelter

French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte. If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu, Wood and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style ormolu, wood and marble pedestals French, 20th Century Height 83cm, diameter 52cm This superb pair of French 20th century pedestals celebrates the ver...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Danish Early 19th Century Upholstered Seat Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant early 19th century Danish Empire mahogany bench. The two arms is showcasing beautiful walnut and satin wood inlays. Seat newly upholstered with light blue linen blend. In g...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood

19th century French Pair of Empire Period Gilded Bronze Sconces
Located in LEGNY, FR
18th century French very beautiful pair of gilded bronze sconces from the Empire period in good condition. Caryatid heads. Very elegant model. Electrification up to standards. Nice q...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany dimensions : sofa height 113 cm sea...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany dimensions : armchairs height 98 c...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Plum enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Plum enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Plum enamel is Russian...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Navy Blue en...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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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