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.
Pair of Vintage French Empire Style Brass Andirons
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Brass Andirons. 22.75" H x 10.5" W x 17.5" D. Provenance: From a West End Avenue Collection.
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H x 10.5" W x 16" D.
Brass, Iron
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Corinthian Column Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Corinthian Column Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 13.5" H x 8.5" W x 13" D.
Bronze
Rare Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Fire Screen
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and rare antique French Empire neoclassical fire screen composed of gilt and patinated bronze. The structure follows a rectangular form with a sloping upper section and...
Bronze
19th C. French Empire Bronze Large 32" Paw Foot Column Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Bronze Large 32" Paw Foot Column Fireplace Andirons - Pair. Item features a large impressive size, column shafts, paw feet, removable bronze chain, cast iron su...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Brass Chenets with Flame Finial
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Brass Chenets, early 20th century, each column form with flame finial. 13" H x 18" W x 6.75" D. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Townhouse.
Brass, Iron
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Iron Andiron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and iron andiron. The andiron is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. Each of the two supports d...
Iron, Ormolu
Pair of French Bronze and Iron Firedogs, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of antique firedogs made of bronze and iron, France, early 20th Century. These marvelous firedogs or andirons feature bronze construction in baluster form, raised on paw feet,...
Bronze, Iron
Antique French Empire Style Flame Finial Brass and Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Flame Finial Brass and Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 20" H x 9" W x 16" D.
Brass, Cast Iron
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features flame finials, reeded column form shafts, paw feet, very nice antique set. Circa Ear...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Gold Brass Urn Fireplace Chenet Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Gold Brass Ornate Urn Form Fireplace Chenet Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 17" H x 12.5" W x 4" D.
Brass
Antique French Empire Brass Bronze Urn Finial Slender Column Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brass Bronze Urn Finial Slender Column Andirons with Desirable Patina and Branch Feet - a Pair. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 22" H x 11.5" W x 18" D.
Brass
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Lion Flame Urn Chenet Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Patinated Bronze Figural Lion Mask Flame Finial Urn Form Chenet Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 16" H x 16" W x 6" D.
Bronze
Antique Empire Brass Cast Iron Lion Head Spiral Twist Paw Feet Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brass Lion Head Spiral Twist Paw Feet Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 10" W x 18" D.
Brass, Iron
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Brass Spiral Column Andirons- a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Brass Spiral Column Andirons- a Pair. Circa 1900. Measurements: 20" H x 9" W x 17.5" D.
Brass, Iron
French Empire Style Putty Cherub Large Brass Cannonball Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Putty Cherub Large Brass Cannonball Andirons - a Pair. Items features heavy brass forms, large round cannonballs, figural...
Brass
$1,900 / set
Pair of Antique Brass Empire Style Andirons
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Classic pair of Empire style antique brass andirons with aged patina. Wonderfully handsome, will add style and character to any fireplace. OAL...
Brass, Iron
French Empire Renaissance Brass Lion Coat of Arms Cannonball Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Empire Renaissance Style Brass Lion Coat of Arms Large Cannonball Andi...
Brass, Iron
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Andirons Chenets Urns and Mythical Beasts
Located in Sweden, SE
This pair of gilt bronze chenets (andirons, firedogs) was crafted in the nineteenth century, presumably in France. The architectural composition is centred around classical urns, fla...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Andirons done in gilt brass, featuring snakes and ram head
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of very rare French Empire andirons or chenets, completely done in brass. They feature carefully and precisely sculpted snakes in motion, as well...
Brass
Antique French Empire Bronze Urn Finial Fireplace Andirons w/ Paw Feet - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Urn Finial Fireplace Andirons w/ Paw Feet and Desirable Patina- a Pair. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 25" H x 11" W x 11" D.
Bronze
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.
Brass
$750 / set
A pair of Antique English Brass Andirons
Located in Charleston, SC
Likely mid to late 19th century. The pair have a bold form with scrolling base atop orbs with log support at backside in iron. H21" L22" W11" Providence: from the collection of a Pawleys Island...
Brass, Iron
$960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique French Second Empire Figural Bronze Andirons with Dolphin Finials 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique set of French Empire figural andirons offer cast bronze construction with dolphin finials over reeded columns with acanthus and dolphin bases, 19th century Measures- 23''...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Cast Iron & Silvered Bronze Paw Foot Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Cast Iron & Silvered Bronze Paw Foot Andirons - a Pair. Item featured has Distressed/weathered finish, ornate casting, heavy construction, very nice antique pai...
Bronze, Iron
Pair of Antique Cast Iron and Bras Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Pair of antique cast iron and bras andirons - firedogs.
Iron
$5,500
H 10.5 in W 36.25 in D 13.5 in
American Brass Rail and Pleasing Wire Work Fire Place Screen, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass rail and pleasing wire work fire place screen, Early 19th century.
Brass, Wire
$4,800
H 29.25 in W 29 in D 9.25 in
American Wrought Iron Ball Top Freestanding Fire Place Screen, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron free standing fire screen with flanking ball finials, decorative scrolled centered panel with interior lined mesh, tapered supporting columns, and terminating o...
Wrought Iron, Wire
Pair of Antique Cast iron Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Beautiful detailed antique cast iron andirons.
Iron
Pair of Antique French Silvered Bronze Andirons
Located in New Orleans, LA
These andirons have been silvered, so they are slightly different than the traditional bronze d'ore ones our shop usually carries. They are handsome and will make a statement in any ...
Bronze, Silver
Pair of Cast iron andirons, France, 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of cast iron andirons, France, 1960s, with a simple and authentic design. These robust pieces feature a clean, forged metal structure, with a vertical stem topped by a rounded f...
Iron
$7,500
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 8 in
French Brass Cherub and Decorative Foliage Fire Place Screen, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass freestanding fire place screen with a decorative floral handle, a centered swinging cherub foliage medallion, flanking floral borders, and...
Brass, Iron, Wire
French Brass Free Standing Fire Screen. Circa 1820-30
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass free standing fire screen with centered floral handle, swag finial motif, foliage motif, and terminating on scrolled block feet. Early 19th Century
Pair of English Regency Style Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of English patinated brass andirons featuring large spherical cannonball finials. Made in the grand Regency taste each cannonball is supported by a pair a gracefully ar...
Metal, Brass, Iron
$4,800
H 19 in W 28 in D 12 in
American Brass & Artistic Wire Work Folding Hinged Fire Place Screen, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass and artistic wire work folding hinged panels fire place screen, Early 19th Century.
Brass, Wire
$3,950 / set
H 22.5 in W 11.5 in D 15 in
French Antique Bronze Andirons Featuring Beethoven, 1880, France
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of French antique andirons made of finely cast bronze. These pieces are adorned with the face of Beethoven. They are in very nice antique condition with only minor surface wea...
Bronze
$9,000
H 23.25 in W 49.25 in D 22 in
American Brass Finial and Artistic Wire Serpentine Fire Place Screen, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American serpentine fire place screen with a brass rail top, three centered brass urn finials, and pleasing artistic scrolled wire work. Early 19th century, Philadelphia.
Brass, Wire
Sold
H 24 in W 10 in D 17 in
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 10" W x 17" D.
Brass
Sold
H 19.5 in W 8 in D 19 in
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19.5" H x 8" W x 19" D.
Brass, Bronze, Iron
18th Century Pair of Empire Sphinx Fireplace Andirons
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional pair of 18th Century Empire sphinx fireplace andirons embodies the grandeur and sophistication of the Empire style. Each andiron features a finely cast sphinx figure...
Iron
Sold
H 25 in W 10 in D 18 in
Antique French Empire Renaissance Style Torch Flame Finial Bronze Andirons Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Renaissance Style Torch Flame Finial Bronze Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early to Mid 1900s. Measurements: 25" H x 10" W x 18" D.
Bronze, Iron
Mid 20th Century French Empire Brass Cannonball Chenets Andirons, a Pair
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage pair of French Empire style chenets or andirons. Heavy brass featuring neoclassical lion heads and large cannonball toppers. Made by Sunset. Dimensions: 9" W x 7" D x 18" H.
Brass
19th Century French Empire Period 'Sfinx' Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Empire period andirons with sfinx. The andirons are made of cast iron and have a natural brown patina. Upon request they can be made black / pewter. They are in a...
Iron
Sold
H 9 in W 11 in D 3.5 in
Pair Antique French Empire Period Gold & Patinated Bronze Andirons Ca. 1790-1810
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire period gold bronze and patinated bronze andirons, circa 1790-1810.
Bronze
Empire Period Fire Dog
Located in Paris, FR
Bar of fireplace decorated with lions in brown patina bronze decorated with gilded bronzes. It is composed of two terminals with lions holding a bronze chain in their mouths. The who...
Bronze
Sold
H 24 in W 10 in D 25 in
Antique French Empire Drape Urn Leafy Pedestal Base Bronze Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire drape and urn leafy pedestal base bronze andirons- a pair. Item features drape and urn finials, leafy pedestal base, ball fo...
Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Sfinx Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Empire andirons with sfinx. The andirons are made of cast iron and have a natural brown patina. Upon request they can be mad...
Iron
19th Century French Empire 'Sphinx' Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Empire 'Sphinx' fire dogs made of cast iron. The andirons have a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. They are in a good condition an...
Iron
19th Century French Empire 'Sphinx' Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Empire 'Sphinx' fire dogs made of cast iron. The andirons have a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. They are in a good condition an...
Iron