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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
Returnable Items Only
French Empire 19th Century Side Table with Black Marble Top and Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire wooden table from the 19th century with circular black marble top, three slender column-shaped legs, bronze mounts and tripartite in-curving low shelf. This exquisite...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Pair of Empire Style Lamps
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Empire style lamps. Cut glass or pressed glass oil reservoirs with flame tops and key detail. 3 portraits adorn the top of the highly ornate bases. Heavy. Curbside to NYC/P...
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

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

Early 20th C Ebonised Mahogany Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 Empire style mahogany chest of four drawers has a new ebonised finish and black marble top. Decorative columns on the front sides have brass trim and...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Textile

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

Pair of French Empire Period Giltwood Eagle Sconces, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of giltwood sconces dates to circa 1815, at the end of the period of French history when Napoleon was the emperor, known as the Empire Style. As Napoleon envisioned himself...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

American Mahogany Partner's Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Mahogany Partner's Desk with glass knobs. Top refinished and everything else cleaned and ready to go! Two wide drawers per each side with smaller drawers below. Beautiful c...
Category

1880s American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Elegant Boat Bed, Mahogany Wood, Chiseled and Gilded Bronze
Located in PALERMO, IT
Elegant and rare bed. Made of mahogany wood, with important finely chiseled and gilded bronze friezes.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Antique French Empire Style Slate and Malachite Clock 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Empire Style Slate and Malachite Clock with Broken Arch Crest and Doric Columns, 19thC Measures- 14.5''H x 8.25''W x 3.5''D
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Slate

Large French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Large French Empire style chandelier in finely chased gilt bronze and hand cut crystal. 12 exterior lighted candles and eight interior fittings for chandelier sized bulbs.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Old or Vieux Paris Gilt Porcelain & Floral Plates by P A Hannong
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French porcelain vases. In old Paris or vieux paris porcelain. By the Paris porcelain manufactory of Peter Anton Hannong. With a scalloped border, gilt rim...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Late 19th Century Mirrored Glass Brass Jewelry Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Mirrored Brass Jewelry Tray, Late 19th Century Charming French tray featuring an elaborate floral motif.. The attention to detail is apparent on this piece. The mirrored glas...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

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

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

Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Empire Style Extending Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style beech and knotty walnut extending dining table with a circular top extending with two additional leaves, a plain frieze on turned legs with acorn feet with triple end le...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

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 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

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

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

Baker French Empire Regency Round Ebonized Granite Top Gueridon Center Table 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Baker Furniture Empire / Regency / Neoclassical inspired Gueridon side table. Features a hardwood ebonized frame with dark granite top. The round form is supported ...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Granite

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

French Empire Period Antique Mahogany Pedestal Center Table Gueridon
Located in Forney, TX
A 200 year old period French Empire mahogany pedestal table guéridon with beautifully aged heavily worn warm rich dark patina. circa 1810 Hand-crafted in France in the early 19th ce...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French Empire style bureau plat, or executive desk, with five dovetailed drawers and pull-out side extensions. Bookmatched flame mahogany veneer over solid oak....
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage John Widdicomb French Empire Cherry Armoire Wardrobe TV Media Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
John Widdicomb French Empire / Deco inspired Armoire, circa 1970s. Made from cherry with paneled doors featuring ornate winged torchiere mounts in bronze over inlaid vine motif. Corn...
Category

1970s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, 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 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

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

Rarity Low Plafonnier Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Lustre Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Presenting our exquisite basket chandeliers, meticulously restored to their former glory with love and care in Berlin. The electrical wiring has been upgraded to work seamlessly in t...
Category

1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

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

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

1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category

1950s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Mid-19th Century French Empire Carved Painted "Tabernacle" Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and petite antique vitrine was crafted in France, circa 1860. Originally used as a tabernacle in a church or chapel, the hanging cabinet features a dome top over a singl...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

French Empire Style Glass and Bronze Two-Light Pendant Chandelier, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style glass and bronze two-light Pendant Chandelier, circa the 1950s. This absolutely adorable Empire-style chandelier features a bronze frame with two arrows and two b...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, 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

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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