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
Italian Empire Style 1890s Marble Top Four-Drawer Commode with Bronze Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Empire style walnut commode from circa 1890 with black marble top, four drawers, column shaped side supports and ornate bronze hardware. Step into the grandeur of late 19t...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
An Outstanding 1950's Italian Cross Sword and Gilt Rope Tassel Wall Light
Located in Hastings, GB
An extremely rare and incredibly ornate Italian wall light, dating to the 1950's, in the empire style and modeled as a pair of crossed swords, in gilt and silver gilt, decorated with...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gilt Bronze & Cut Crystal Centerpiece
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze centerpiece featuring hand cut crystal columns (4). Base and Top supporting oval container. France, circa 1900.
Dimensions: He...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Gilt Empire Claude Galle Clock By Claude Gallé, 19th Century
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze clock with rotating dial made for the 1807 Exhibition after a composition by Claude Gallé,regarded as one of the best bronziers of the late Louis XVI a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Old Paris Porcelain Wash Jug and Basin with Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period wash basin (with saucer) and tall pitcher, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring a very striking hand-painted polychrom...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Antique French Empire Style Round Pedestal Table
Located in Chicago, IL
*** Shipping is NOT Free, please read below how to get a shipping quote.
Antique French Empire Style Round Pedestal Table with Burlwood Center
A gorgeous French Regency style circ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood, Burl
Antique thread table, Northern Europe, around 1860. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A thread table from the second half of the 19th century in the Biedermeier style.
A small piece of furniture, a bit forgotten today, but once a must-have for a housewife for needlew...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French First Empire Period Chest of Drawers / Commode / Dresser, c. 1810
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Classic French Empire Chest made from rosewood veneer and featuring ebonized front columns, c. 1810. Iconic of the Empire style, two ebony black round columns flank the bank of dovet...
Category
1810s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
Unique sofa, France, circa 1860. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Unique sofa, France, circa 1860.
Condition: before renovation and upholstery replacement.
Wood: walnut
dimensions: height 104 cm / seat height. 46 cm / ...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare Vieux Paris Tall Vases, Circa:1830
Located in Alexandria, VA
This pair of neoclassic Vieux Paris conical shaped vases have Classical Roman motifs on one side. Portraits on the other side depict an inebriate on one vase and a teetotaler on the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Elegant Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant, architectural Empire pedestal cabinet in 2 parts, crafted in mahogany.
Features a frieze with ormolu mounts of typical Empire period over a cupboard door that opens to revea...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Danish Late Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Very special late Empire chest of drawers with opaline glass inlay, 19th century, Denmark, 1830. Mahogany with Ivory colored glass inlay. Having four drawers with working locks, 1 ...
Category
1830s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass, Mahogany
French long duration Skeleton Clock
Located in HAARLEM, NL
The clock sits proudly on a black marble base with four bun feet. The I form skeletonised timepiece movement with anchor escapement, knife edge suspension and compensated pendulum. T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Bronze & Marble Candelabra
Located in Southall, GB
A beautifully made pair of French candelabras in bronze and marble. Two neoclassical styled women are blowing trumpet horns which form candlesticks. There is intricate detailing to t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Heinrich Goeschl, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style:
The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A Pair of Porcelain de Paris Ovid Form Vases, Circa:1820
Located in Alexandria, VA
This is an exceptional pair of Old Paris vases with beautiful hand-painted panorama scenes. The bucolic scenes are of fashionably dressed people hanging out with cows by a meandering...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
An Ormolu Mounted Swedish Porphyry Butter Tub, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The delicately chamfered edges of the round tub and cover carved from Blyberg Porphyry with ormolu mounted acorn finial.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Ormolu
1920s Italian Empire Style Brass & Crystal Wall Sconces - a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of enchanting sconces, circa the 1920s. These Empire-style sconces exude an aura of class and elegance, transporting any room to a time of timele...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid 20th Century Italian Tole Lamp
Located in Doylestown, PA
Mid 20th century Italian tole lamp with original shade.
Fine Italian tole column form table lamp in a warm ochre hue. It is intricately painted with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle, Brass
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large French Empire Style Mirror with Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale French Empire style mirror with beautiful neoclassical embossed motif in classic French form. Will add elegance to any room! #5862
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
A square French Empire gilt wood mirror circa 1860.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A square French Empire gilt wood mirror circa 1860.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Green Painted Table Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Green Painted Library Table Lamp, France
Charming French desk lamp with narrow brass center support in between two bases best used for candles, or just left alone for ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Provincial Empire Marble Top Commode, France, Circa:1815
Located in Alexandria, VA
This handsome 3-drawer commode has an incomparable restrained beauty. While it has all the design elements of French Empire furniture, the application is more provincial than Parisia...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Early 19th Century Vanity
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Vanity is made of mahogany with a white marble top. It has some bronze pineapple on each side of the mirror.
dimension from the floor to the marble top 30.8''H
dimension from th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Old Paris Porcelain Wash Jug and Basin with Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stylish vintage pitcher and matching wash basin, crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring intricate gilt decoration of palmettes and leaves on a white background. The jug is ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
19th Century French Empire Style Circular Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style circular side table, or nightstand, made of beautifully patterned veneer of walnut with a dark gray St. Anne marble top. Door with small brass knob...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire mirror, stuccoed and painted wood, scratched on the mirror
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX Century Empire Commode
19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHEST. LARGE FRENCH EMPIRE CHEST IN MAHOGANY AND DECORATED WITH GOLDEN BRONZE.130X59X89 CM
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier, Early 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Six-Arm Chandelier was made in France in the Early Nineteenth Century. The Bronze Doré Castings are of the highest refined quality. The Doré Corona is surmounted with seven Acanthus Leaves, each pinned with a French crystal drop. The Corona suspends to the hand-pinned faceted oval crystal chain tent that is encompassed with hand pined French drops. The tent chains draw the eye down to the two tone console...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 19th century Empire gueridon is the perfect addition to any home decor style. Beautiful, black fossil marble tops the rich mahogany base, the marble has been professionally repa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Table, Desk in Gilt Bronze, Mahogany and Marble.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style table, desk in gilt bronze, mahogany and marble.
19th century or early 20th century Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze table, desk, green marble top, 2 drawers.
H:...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Campaign Side Tables, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire style brass mounted campaign cabinets or side tables with single drawers and storage compartments. 20.5” H x 25.5” W x 19.5” D.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Empire Table Clock, Patinated and gilded bronze, Cleret, Paris, Circa 1825
By Cleret
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
French Empire table clock by Cleret, Paris, movement by Pierre-César Honoré Pons. The case in gilded and patinated bronze, circa 1825.
The bronze base is decorated with a broad floral frieze with a central urn and two doves above a gilt floral border on four ball feet, the front feet with butterfly wing decoration. On the top of the clock stands a gilt bronze figure of a classically dressed maiden pouring...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Sideboards, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of trumeau sideboards with flanking carved caryatids in the Retour d'Egypte style. The sideboards are fitted with two doors and a wide drawer. The carved figures are blackened a...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of table Lamps in Bronze Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This pair of table lamps is in the style of Empire. They were created in the 19th Century in France, they are in Bronze and silk for the shades. The color is Gold, it is a pair of ve...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
By Old Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Russian Empire Style Black and Gold Six-Light Chandelier with Classical Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Russian Empire style black and gold bronze chandelier from the 20th century, with six lights, classical figures and foliage motifs. Created in Russia during the 20th century, this ...
Category
20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Basket Chandelier, 1st Third 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Large ceiling chandelier with six brass candle holders. The hanging of glass prisms, drops and beads is guided over two hoops and ends in a basket with hanging drops.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
2 Vintage Henredon Empire Ebonized 3 Tier Pedestal Table Sculpture Plant Stand
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of Vintage Henredon black ebonized three tier pedestal table / plant or sculpture stands featuring Empire styling with brass gold lion head rope tassel accents over flared legs ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock in the form of a vase, Empire Era, 1800-1815. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Basket Shaped Crystal Chandelier with Accents of Amethyst Color Crystals
Located in Atlanta, GA
This petite French crystal chandelier from the mid 20th century features a lovely basket shape. Reminiscent of the Empire taste, the c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
19th Century Cast Iron Relief Portrait of King Karl XIV Johan.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine medal plaque in cast-iron of King Karl XIV Johan (1763-1844), empire period.
It is a relief portrait of Karl XIV Johan as a Roman general, with text "Carolus XIV Iohannes Rex Sveciae et Norvegiae" and made by Finspång's foundry. It has a small metal loop attached on the back so that it can hang on a wall.
Finspång's foundry was for about three centuries Sweden's largest cannon foundry, located in Östergötland's northern mountain range, Finspång is mentioned for the first time as a foundry in 1573. A small foundry was built there at the time, which was first run on behalf of the crown, but in 1587 was leased to the Dutchman Wellam De Wijk, who seems to have held it until 1599, when it was passed back to the crown.
in 1641 Louis De Geer...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Paris Porcelain Toiletry Bottle with Stopper
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This pretty little 'flacon' bottle, complete with its original stopper, is made from delicate white 'Porcelaine de Paris' and dates from the early 19th century. Both bottle and stop...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Fairfax, VA
Pair of 19th century urn shape two color bronze and marble that they have custom made to table lamps and fitted with silk lampshades.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Boch La Louviere, Suite Of 18 Plates, Napoleon Ist Battles, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Suite of 18 commemorative plates of Napoleonic battles and military events, such as "Bonaparte at Arcole", "Battle of Iéna", "General Masséna before Zurich", "The death of General de Lanne"...
The grisaille decoration stands out against the white background; the perimeter is decorated with the symbols of the Empire: "N" surmounted by the crown, bicorne
Boch Fes La Louvière plate series, Made in Belgium...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Armchair, Northern Europe, around 1900. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique armchair from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation, the seat is covered with new fabri...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Work Table in Mahogany
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire period work table in flamed mahogany and gilt bronze mounted.
Magnificent table forming writing desk and work table. The drop-leaf top features a recessed mirror, storage com...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Small Italian Antique 19th Century Rectangular Gilded Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Rectangular Gilded Frame, Italy Late 19th Century
Glass is included
Inside measurements are 6 by 9 inches.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Brass, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two classicistic mahogany armchairs with brass decoration and openwork backs. The chairs stand on square pointed legs with H-shaped bracing, which merge into elegantly curved, high-s...
Category
Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vieux Paris Porcelain Set of 6 Plates, Mauve, Gilt and Sublime Fruits, ca 1865
By Old Paris
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning set of 6 plates made in Paris in about 1865. The plate have a soft mauve/purple rim with fine giltwork, and sublimely painted fruits in the centre.
There were man...
Category
1860s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Period Paris Porcelain Basin and Pitcher with Napoleonic Emblems
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant Paris Porcelain wash basin and pitcher dating from the First Empire Period, around 1815, and featuring as its decoration th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Basket Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our exquisite antique chandelier - a masterpiece of elegance and style that will seamlessly complement any room with a touch of timeless beauty. With its stunning details...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique Italian empire bench early 19th century. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood. Characterized by a seat with folding panels.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 'Empire' library mantel clock
Located in HAARLEM, NL
A charming Library Empire mantel clock. The Cupido reading the book is a very desirable subject. Even now a good decoration in almost every interior . The striking count wheel 8-day...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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