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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
Place of Origin: North American
Classical Marble Top Pier Table With Stencil Decoration, New York, Circa:1830
Located in Alexandria, VA
This Empire mirror backed pier/console table has a beautiful patina. For nearly 200 years it has had pride of place in fashionable New York City homes -- usually between windows as b...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Mahogany Desk With Hunter Green Leather Top, Circa 1930
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Empire mahogany desk with tooled hunter green leather top. The desk with bronze banding and trim, bronze finely fluted corner medallions, fluted and tapering legs with bronze caps an...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire or Neoclassical style drop front secretary desk By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous burl wood, with ebonized columns, and original brass hard...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Bookcase in the Manner of R.J. Horner
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique American Empire or Victorian glass front bookcase with carved columns and lion paw feet In the manner of R.J. Horner USA, Circa 1890s Carved mahogany, with mul...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Henkel Harris French Empire Louis Philippe Flame Mahogany Marble Top Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire of Louis Philippe style dresser or chest of drawers By Henkel Harris USA, 1990s Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with beveled marble top, and ori...
Category

1990s American Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire or Neoclassical style double pedestal extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Gorgeous book-matched flame mahogany top,...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Empire Style Partners Desk with Leather Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition Materials: Patinated Leather Top, Mahogany
Category

1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Empire Ebonized Dresser: Timeless Craftsmanship Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of our antique empire dresser, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and style brought back to life by our sk...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Empire Style Bronze and Iron Fireplace Four-Piece Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Crafted circa 1980, the "Serviteur" sits on an intricate iron bottom base decorated with a bronze gallery around th...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Nightstand
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style nightstand or end table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with burl wood columns and original ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Signed Antique E.F. Caldwell Empire Gilt Bronze High Detail Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning and Rare Pair Antique c1890's Fire Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Signed by E.F. Caldwell. Please look closely at pictures as these sconces are beautiful beyond words. Originally ...
Category

1890s North American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Category

17th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Late 20th Century Empire Style Fruitwood Pedestal Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Empire Style Fruitwood Pedestal Side Table in great vintage condition. Very sturdy. Quality made in USA. Measures 16" in diameter
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL! MID CENTURY MONUMENTAL BRASS MARBRO LAMP! MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON! DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS! POLISHED BRASS ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21" In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived! Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold

Pair of Wall Sconces attributed to Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bronze & Crystal Wall Sconces, each having a pierced anthemion backplates, demi lume corona with three lights above a band of square and kite shaped prisms & steel liner. US...
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Bachelor Chest or Nightstand, 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style nightstand or bachelor chest By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Beautiful book-matche...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Councill Empire Style Mahogany Table, 20th C
Located in New York, NY
Councill Empire Style Mahogany Table, 20th century, signed "Councill" inside drawer. Dealer: S138XX
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A Pair of American Gilt-Bronze Three Light Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gorgeous twisted cornucopia sconces by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Three scrolling cornucopia supports joined by a scroll form rose with tudor rose style on and off switch, hard...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Hanging Chandelier Pendant
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style chandelier pendant with cast glass dish and bronze details. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding pair of period Empire bronze-mounted beds in overall very good condition. The figural end column forms feature well cast busts and feet, and there are wreaths, Angels,...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Gold Urns on Black Lacquered Wall Art Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A large elegant pair of wooden wall panels, black lacquered with crackle finish and gold gilt decoration. Both matching with Empire urns , they add a regal presence to a room; they...
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gilded Bronze Floor Lamp by Edward F. Caldwell & Co
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous antique floor lamp by Edward F. Caldwell has a sleek design with a strong gilded cast bronze base with foliage motif and wreath lip. A fluted pole extends from the base...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Copper and Brass Ice Bucket with Lion Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A copper and brass ice bucket with lion head design, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century. This copper ice bucket with lid, has brass lion head and loop design on sides (or front/back depending on the way it's positioned), plastic lined internal area for ice, finished with lid and knob for easy on/off. A great piece for entertaining on a sideboard, table, bar, car cart...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL** GILDED EMPIRE STYLE PORCELAIN LAMP! The Only One in The World! CIRCA 1960 Incredible Midnight Color! A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black! DI...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold

Custom Costal Schumacher “Citrus Garden” Throw Pillow
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous custom made throw pillow. Made with the iconic Schumacher “Citrus Garden”. Brilliant blues and yellows in this legendary botanical ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Feathers

Empire Style Coffee Table Lacquer Speckled by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical French empire style coffee cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The oval table features a two-tier design with dramatic eagle's head l...
Category

20th Century Mexican Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Contemporary “ Gang” Lithograph Signed P. Ortiz
Located in west palm beach, FL
Fabulous vintage lithograph. Signed by the artist Pedro Ortiz. Three handsome gentlemen with mustaches. The title of the work is “Cuban Gang”. Acquired from a Oalm Beach estate
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Paint

Contemporary Mixed Media Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in west palm beach, FL
An exceptional original oil on canvas. A chic mixed media in a tonal white with gorgeous texture. Signed and dated on the back. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Vintage empire style jewelry or trinkets chest of drawers.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a Vintage empire style jewelry or trinkets chest of drawers. This chest of drawers features its original solid brass hardware. This diminutive chest of drawers is made of dar...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Figural Ebonized Giltwood Armchair with Dolphins by Century 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire style chair by Century Furniture offers maple frame with upholstered seat and back, flanking giltwood carved dolphins beneath each ebonized arm, and raised on slightl...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Empire Style Figural Carved Dragons 9 Light Chandelier
Located in Long Branch, NJ
​Antique French Empire Style Figural Carved Dragons 9 Light Chandelier Measures 37 In H x 27.25 In w x 27.24 D
Category

1910s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Walnut Bachelors Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles
Located in Pasadena, CA
Walnut Bachelors Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles. The top opens up to make double the width. This may be used as a desk area or a sort of vanity. Wonderful Aged wood. Clean and...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Wood Framed Mirrored Back Display Vitrine Cabinet / Three Glass Shelves
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your living space with this Early 20th Century North American Mahogany Wood Framed Mirrored Vitrine, a piece of furniture that exudes elegance and timeless charm. The mirrore...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Wood Beveled Glass Mirrored Back Cabinet / Vitrine By R.J.Horner
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your home with this 19th Century Horner & Co Hand-Carved Mahogany Wood China Cabinet, an exceptional piece of furniture designed with the utmost attention to detail and craft...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Rosewood Empire Chest of Drawers with Vanity Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
52” x 25” x 35”H (without wheels); mirror adds 35”H A captivating representation of early Biedermeier design, influenced by the Empire era. This remarkable Biedermeier dresser exhib...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920's Caldwell Empire style bronze double light sconces
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Upholstered Recamier
Located in Hanover, MA
Very dramatic and theatrical Empire/Regency style recamier chaise in ebonized mahogany with carved parcel-gilt and verde antique stained winged paw feet. Original upholstery is salm...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Impressive & Large Gilt Bronze / Art Glass Holding Base Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your decor with this Impressive and Large early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Holding Frame, a work of art that seamlessly combines gilt bronze and white art glass to create a vis...
Category

Early 1900s North American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

John Widdicomb French Empire Satinwood Nightstands With Mounted Ormolu, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Regency, Neoclassic, or French Empire style end tables or bedside tables By John Widdicomb USA, Late 20th Century B...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Empire Sryle Cast Brass Figural Chenets, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 20th Century Empire Sryle Cast Brass Figural Chenets. Measure 8" in width, 8" in depth and 18" in height.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Round Empire Style Gold Mirror by Randy Esada Designs, 2010s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round Empire style gold mirror by Randy Esada Designs. Beautiful gold gilding and beveled mirror. Additional information: Materials: Giltwood, Gold, Mirror Color: Gold Brand: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Baker Furniture French Empire Flame Mahogany Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or French Regency Louis XVI style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Stunning book-matched flame mahogany...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Empire Style Pacel Gilt and Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive mid-century Empire Style parcel gilt and carved Mahogany coffee / cocktail Table. Measures 46" in width, 27.75" in depth and standing 17.5" tall.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Antique Empire Style Marbletop Circular Table
Located in New York, NY
Charming early 19th Century Empire Style circular Center Table with a marble top. Crafted in solid wood with a serpentine green marble top, the circular shape makes this table a stun...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

1920’s Caldwell Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell Empire style sconces with arrow design
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Baker Furniture Empire Banded Mahogany Drum Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or Georgian style drum side table or tea table By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Beautiful flame mahogany, with satinwood banding. Measures: 24"W x 24...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Henredon French Empire Pedestal Dining Table in Exotic Brazilian Daniella Wood
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire style pedestal extension dining table By Henredon USA, Late 20th century Gorgeous banded exotic Brazilian Daniella wood, with brass accents. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

1920s Caldwell Bronze Medusa Head Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s sconces with medusa head and arrow design. Two lights
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Vintage Empire Inspired Newly Upholstered Bench
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage newly upholstered empire inspired bench. This bench has been upholstered in a black cotton with a large button in the center. The bench has a dark walnu...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Style Cocktail Table Speckled by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical round coffee or cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The table is made in the French Napoleonic empire style featuring bronze mounted ...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Midnight Black & Gold Fleur-de-Lis Pattern Decorative Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Midnight Black & Gold Fleur-de-Lis Pattern Decorative Pillow Sumptuous black is further enriched by meticulously embroidered gold fleur-d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Circa 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Midnight Black & Gold Fleur-de-Lis Pattern Decorative Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Midnight Black & Gold Fleur-de-Lis Pattern Decorative Asymmetrical Pillow Sumptuous black is further enriched by meticulously embroidered gold fleur-de-lis and lavish corner tassel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric

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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