Empire Furniture
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.
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1990s American Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany, Giltwood
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Bronze, Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
1890s North American Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
17th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Metal, Gold
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Steel
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass, Copper
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Metal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Fabric, Feathers
20th Century Mexican Empire Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Canvas
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Wood
1910s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture
Rosewood
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s North American Antique Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Fabric
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Fabric