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.
Monumental Neo-Classical Caryatid Marble Fireplace - Wall Console – Empire
Located in Beervelde, BE
This monumental Neo-Classical fireplace surround, carved from luminous white marble, is conceived as a true architectural and sculptural masterpiece. Created during the late Louis XV...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Nineteenth century French Empire Turquin Marble Chimneypiece
Located in London, GB
Nineteenth century French Empire Turquin marble chimneypiece, the deep moulded shelf supported by volute jambs with paw feet, on footblocks. Dimensions: 103cm (40½") High, 129cm (50...
Marble
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
Antique Green & Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This surround was reclaimed from a property in Ascot, UK. It features carved Sienna marble end blocks and fluted Sienna frieze and jambs. Opening Height 90 cm (35.43 in) Opening Wi...
Siena Marble, Marble
French Napoleon III Carved Griotte Marble and Ormolu Mounted Fireplace Mantel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important French Napoleon III carved Rouge Griotte Marble and ormolu mounted figural fireplace mantel chimneypiece. The rectangular carv...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu fire screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A decorative and most handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu fire screen. This stunning square fire screen is raised by a long slender rectangular patina...
Bronze, Ormolu
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace French, 20th century Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Fine 19th Century European Original Antique Fireplace Mantle from Empire Period
Located in Beervelde, BE
This original vintage fireplace surround is a one of a kind chimney piece. A real eyecatcher. It is influenced of the wars by Napoleon to Egypt. The mantel is in perfect condition a...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Green Granite Fireplace, circa 1850
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt bronze-mounted green granite fireplace. French, circa 1850. The fireplace has a rectangular mantel shelf above a frieze cent...
Granite, Bronze
Rare French Napoleonic Empire Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A very important 19th century (circa 1820) French Empire Sienna marble fireplace with elaborate ormolu enrichments to frieze and jambs. The flu...
Siena Marble
A French Fireplace in Sarrancolin Marble
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French fireplace in Sarrancolin marble. The moulded jambs with scrolls to top surmounted by curved frieze with carved shell to centre. Moulded shelf above. Original br...
Marble
Antique French Empire Paw Foot Brass Pierce Decorated Fireplace Mantle Piece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire style paw foot brass pierce decorated fireplace mantel (fireplace) piece, circa late 19th century. Measurements: 7" H x 48" W x 15.5" D.
Brass
Antique Carved Oak Fire Mantel by Guéret Frères
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautiful antique carved oak fireplace by Guéret Frères. This elegant fire surround features deep, bold neoclassical style carving and intricate mouldings throughout. The corbels s...
Wood, Oak, Paint
$10,675
Antique Sienna Marble Mantel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique French Empire style Siena marble mantel with gilt bronze ormolu and original bronze surround.
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary Carrara hand carved Roman Rosette on the cent...
Statuary Marble
Besancenot Wine Beaune Second Empire Fireplace Mantel Signed H. Duplain 1857
Located in Beervelde, BE
This extraordinary original antique fireplace mantel, carved in 1857 in Beaune, Burgundy, is a rare and historically anchored artefact from France’s Second Empire under Napoleon III....
Stone, Limestone
A Large Antique French Empire Statuary White Marble And Ormolu Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A large impressive French Empire period Statuary white marble and Ormolu mounted chimneypiece of superior quality. Elegantly drawn with well cast Ormolu, Lightly veined Statuary marb...
Statuary Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Original Empire Period Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is one of a kind fireplace surround in Carrara marble was made by special order for the Castle of Fontainebleau. The identical but in grey mantel was ...
Carrara Marble
Empire style mantel in Rouge Griotte marble, bronzes ( attributed to Thomire )
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This Empire-style fireplace is made of Rouge Griotte marble, known for its deep color and highly prized under Napoleon I. The gilded bronzes that adorn the fireplace are attributed ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Antique Classical Fireplace in Bleu Turquin and Statuary Marble
Located in Beervelde, BE
Exceptional French Antique Classical Fireplace Surround in Bleu Turquin and Statuary Marble – Musical Theme This rare and refined original period French neoclassical fireplace surrou...
Marble, Statuary Marble
$2,683Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons with Lions, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
These andirons are made of bronze with lions lying face to face. This is a French Empire period pair of fireplace andirons, circa 1850.
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Fireplace Mantel in Breche Marble
Located in London, GB
An antique French fireplace in quality breche marble with ormolu mounts and original cast iron chamber. In typical Empire Style, and well-proportioned having fine tapering columns supported on square foot blocks and ormolu mounts, again caped with ormolu egg...
Breccia Marble, Ormolu
$2,118 / set
19th Century Empire Fireplace Bronze or Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
19th century Empire fireplace bronze
Bronze
French Empire Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A French Empire style limestone fireplace. The frieze with interlocking diamond pattern with tapering, full round columns. A copy of an 18th century original. Shelf width: ...
Limestone
$1,835Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of bronze with flams and garlands. This is a French work from Empire period. Circa 1850.
Bronze
Louis XVI Console In Gilded Wood, Ardennes Grey Marble, 18th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Louis XVI Console In Gilded Wood, Ardennes Grey Marble, 18th Century
Wood
Athenian Carved Wood, Red Patina in the Imitation of Antique Red Marble
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Athenian Carved Wood, Red Patina in the Imitation of Antique Red Marble, Early 19th Century
Wood
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marble Fireplaces with Cast Iron Insets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ormolu mounted marble fireplaces with cast iron insets French, Late 19th Century Fireplaces: Height 112cm, width 152cm, depth 33cm Iron inserts: Height 89cm,...
Statuary Marble, Iron, Ormolu
Empire style fireplace in Sienna yellow marble with columns and gilt bronze rose
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Empire style fireplace made of Sienna yellow marble, distinguished by its warm tones and pronounced veining. The frieze is decorated with a series of finely chased gilt bronze rosett...
Siena Marble, Bronze
A French mid 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble fireplace mantel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and finely detailed French mid 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble fireplace mantel. This beautiful mantel is raised by striking elegantly scrolled jambs with ...
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire limestone fireplace, the panelled frieze with carved centre motif of Napoleonic bee and flowers, the panelled jambs with hexagonal motif to centre...
Limestone
French Empire Sarancolin and Statuary Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An impressive French Empire fireplace in richly colored Sarancolin marble. The finely carved Egyptian Caryatids in statuary white marble with Sarancolin square tapering pilasters. The panelled frieze with white marble moulding, and gently shaped stretcher below with marble keystone...
Marble
Empire Style Noir de Mazy Black Marble Antique Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Statity and radiance meet in this wonderful fireplace in Empire style. Made from luxurious Noir de Mazy marble, this piece brings warmth and elegance to any interior. The chimney originates in the Statenkwartier in The Hague between the Art Nouveau architecture...
Belgian Black Marble
Empire-Style Antique Noir de Mazy with Marble Verde Circulation Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Empire-style black marble fireplace. This extraordinary fireplace is made of Noir de Mazy marble, complemented by the luxurious green marble type Verde. Despite the clean lines, thi...
Belgian Black Marble
Empire Style Silvered Bronze Fire Fender, Late 19th Century French
Located in El Monte, CA
This fire fender is a quintessential example of the opulent yet authoritative style of the Empire period. A patinated bronze frame in geometric form is adorned with ormolu bronze mou...
Bronze