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 French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks with Oak Leaf Decoration, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks with Oak Leaf Decoration, 1820s An elegant pair of French Empire candlesticks, crafted in finely chased and mercury-gilt bronze duri...
Bronze
Danish Rectangular Empire Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish gilt gold art frame found in a market in Denmark. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has wonderful patina throughout and would loo...
Gold
A Pair of 19th C. Paris Porcelain Gilt and Portrait Painted Vases
By Old Paris
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th C. Paris Porcelain Gilt and Portrait Painted Vases. Each vase features a neoclassical amphora form, richly decorated with gilt accents and hand-painted portrait panel...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Portico Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine early 19th century French Empire period Portico clock of exceptional quality in the Neo-classical style, the clock housed in a richly figured mahogany case with four tapering ...
Ormolu
$24,563 / set
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights French, 20th Century Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Bronze, Ormolu
$7,859Sale Price|25% Off
Gilt Bronze and Griotte Red marble inkwell, Empire Period, early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$10,200 / set
Pair of Empire Ormolu Cassolettes
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Empire gilt bronze cassolettes with pierced covers and engine-turned columns. France, circa 1810.
Bronze
Meditation French Empire Mantel Clock by Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Mantel Clock Claude Galle Circa 1810 This Empire period mantel clock by Galle exemplifies the sophisticated allegorical artistry of early 19th-century French horology. Repres...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Empire Period Bronze Candelabra Pair, Gilt Finish, Lion's Feet, France
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire period four-light candelabra, on tripod lion's feet over stepped incurved plinth, supporting a palmette form base with reeded column and central gilt candle stem, the ...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Skeleton Clock with Vestal Virgins
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic two dimensional French Empire skeleton clock, the finely chased and mercury gilded case depicts Amour holding a flaming torch and a banner, symbol of war, seated on a quiver full of arrows and set on top of the dial and movement. The dial is framed by two vestal virgins...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Ewers with Winged Maidens, Att. to Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
Important & Rare Pair of French Empire Period (circa 1805) Ormolu Ewers with Winged Maidens, Cupid Busts, Masks,and Vert de Mer Marble Bases, Attributed to Claude Galle The pair...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.
Located in Middleburg, VA
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box. Exquisite Indian craftsmanship made of teak with decorative brass on a patinated red lacquered surface with intricate ...
Brass
Cupid's Fire French Empire Mantel Clock by Bergmiller
By Bergmiller
Located in New Orleans, LA
French Empire Mantel Clock Bergmiller Circa 1810 A radiant expression of French Empire luxury, this exceptional mantel clock by Bergmiller combines the artistry of mercury-gilt bron...
Bronze
Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Bronze
Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Bronze
Bisque Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase 19th century 4 Seasons Putti Allegory
Located in Sweden, SE
Empire Vase (Tazza) produced in bisque porcelain by top level manufacture, possibly in Germany or France, in the second half of the 19th century and decorated with finely crafted fin...
Gold, Bronze
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece This refined centerpiece stand was crafted in France in the early 19th century, during the Empire period, from finely chiselled an...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19 Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of early 19 century French empire gilt bronze neoclassical candlesticks. A tapering stem with rich and finely chased ...
Bronze
Antique 19th-Century French Marble & Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Neoclass
Located in Berlin, DE
Elevate your interior with this exceptional antique French figural mantel clock, beautifully crafted in the 19th century in a refined Neoclassical / Empire style. Featuring a strikin...
Marble
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures French, 19th century Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm This mantel clock feat...
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Clock, "Cupid & Psyche"
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt and patinated bronze Empire clock. Rouge griotte marble. Signed bled a Paris. Silk thread suspension. France, circa 1804 Dimensions: Height 32" x width 21" x depth 11...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Ormolu Bronze Cassolettes or Censers/Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of early 19th century, French ormolu bronze cassolettes. The censers having pierced tops and Candlestick receivers on the revers.
Bronze
19th Century Clock Empire Clock in Siena Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX CENTURY CLOCK EMPIRE CLOCK IN SIENA MARBLE AND DECORATED WITH BRONZE. SUSPENSION MECHANISM WITH FILE. COMPLETE WITH ITS KEY AND PENDULUM. MEASURES: 45 CM HIGH good condition.
Marble
French Tole Cachepot Planter Decorated with Scenes of Napoleon at Waterloo
Located in Litchfield, CT
Early 20th century French oval tole cachepot planter decorated with scenes of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. The battle depicted in black on a yellow ochre backgrou...
Metal
Pair French Gilt Candelabras Female Maiden Figural Candles
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching pair of gilt Empire candelabras Of figural form, the candelabras are held aloft by the toga clad female maidens A perfect left and right Stand on the ...
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clock, Portal Pendule, Paris circa 1820
By Duval
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French round arch portal clock France (Paris) Bronze, enamel Empire circa 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 x 26 x 12 cm Description: Very beautiful, strictly architecturally...
Bronze, Enamel
Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Glass Ewer Jug Vase Ormolu French Urn
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching green cut glass jug in the Empire manner Good size at almost four feet tall - 112 CM The body is crafted from richly colored, translucent green glass,...
Ormolu
French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Bronze
French Empire Gilt & Marble Candlestick Holders Set of 2
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A refined pair of French Empire–style candlestick holders, combining gilt metal with a solid marble base. Designed with classical symmetry, the fluted column rises from a circular ma...
Marble, Gold, Brass
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
A French Empire Clock of the Roman Goddess Aurora Announcing a New Day
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire allegorical mantel clock with a case of finely chased and gilt bronze. Aurora stands to the left of the circular clock plinth draping a starry cloak over the g...
Bronze
Two Gilt Bronze Empire Candlesticks circa 1830 French Cassolette
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of 1800s Gilt Bronze Empire Candlesticks, set of two French Empire-style ormolu chests or burners, dating from the first half of the 19th century. These ancient French vessels ...
Bronze
Pair of gilded columns in Empire style - Italy, 1980s
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant pair of turned and carved columns in the round, made of wood and fully gilded with pure gold leaf, with a particularly brilliant and rich finish. The columns are inspired by ...
Marble
$4,628Sale Price|25% Off
Empire period gilt bronze obelisk inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
Chased and gilded bronze inkwell on a canted base with a frieze of interlacings centered on rosettes. Leobelisk model, topped by a seeded fruit. It features two covered cups decorate...
Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble vases French, early 20th century Measures: Height 52cm, width 21cm, depth 19cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Fire-gilded French Empire-style writing set Bronze ca. 1850 Goddess Psyche
Located in Münster, DE
Writing Set France, circa 1850 Bronze with black patina and partial gilding, depicting the goddess Psyche; height 33 cm, width 30 cm, depth 15.5 cm On a austere, rectangular, dark...
Bronze
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Glass
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Period Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly
By Gaston Jolly
Located in London, GB
Depicting a young woman seated at a table holding a book and looking at a celestial globe, above the central dial signed 'Gaston Jolly Paris' and flanked by two busts.
Bronze, Ormolu
Large Neoclassical Cache-pot Vase in Green Marble Rome 19th Century Grand Tour
Located in Pistoia, IT
Imposing serpentine marble vase, also called "Prato green." Rome, neoclassical period, first half of the 19th century. In the Neoclassical period Roman workshops produced fine marble...
Marble
$1,534Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Bronze Bookends Sculptures with Horn and Ram 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of decorated bronze bookend sculptures in the shape of a horn and ram, made in the 20th century Ø cm 20.5 Ø cm 11 h cm 20.5 Aries is rich in symbolism, intertwining astrologic...
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze statues. Each wonderfully decorative statue of a dancing maiden is raised on a square p...
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze figural mantle clock. Patinated bronze and gilt bronze fine details. Working condition.
Bronze
Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Gold, Bronze
A pair (2) of figural Empire candelabra candles. Paris, 19th century.
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair (2) of figural Empire candelabra candles. Paris, 1815s Gilt bronze. Recessed pedestal base with palmette and floral decoration on a square plinth. The pair, dressed in antiqu...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Malachite and Gilt Bronze Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine 19th century French Empire malachite and gilt bronze centerpiece. Cut crystal top bowl .Fine mercury gilt bronze sphinx's.
Malachite
$24,563 / set
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Each with a winged Victorian female figure carrying a torchère on their hea...
Siena Marble, Bronze
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
French Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Dragon Handled Urn Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An rare model French Empire mantle clock featuring a classical urn with dragon handles. The clock is entirely of gilded bronze with original fire gilding. The urn-shaped case is surm...
Bronze
$3,950 / set
Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French or possibly Russian. Finely chased bronze details. Handcut crystal. Rare.
Crystal, Bronze
Bracket Clock, Vienna, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant Viennese bracket clock with an ebonized base and splayed legs supporting the clock case. The case is made of walnut and decorated with brass appliqués. The movement features...
Brass
Circa 1800 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Griffin Candle Holders
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1800 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Griffin Candle Holders. Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or mess...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Griotte Marble Vase
Located in London, GB
A magnificent quality French Empire/Directoire urn in superb original condition. Constructed of lovely patinated bronze, fire gilded Ormolu and griotte marble. In the gout d'Egypt or...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Large Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock with Mythological Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Large Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock with mythological sculpture French, late 19th century Measures: height 58cm, width 46cm, depth 14cm With large sculptural work depicting Jason and the Golden Fleece...
Malachite, Ormolu
$3,400
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Brass
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Important First Empire Period Ormolu Sconces
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Essex, MA
Period ormolu sconces in First Empire, imperial Russian, realistic lion mask form --Percier and fontaine designed lion mask being impaled by th...
Ormolu
Table Box with a semi-precious tiger's eye stone and a hinged 925 silver case by Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large octagonal table box made of semi-precious tiger's eye stone with a hinged case in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver. Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 6.5 cm. Silver weight: 1095 g. The...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Rectangular tiger's eye stone in a 925 silver hinged case by Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box made of semi-precious tiger's eye stone, with a hinged frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver. Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.5 x 4 cm. Silver weight: 140 g. Desi...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Bronze
Large Antique Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Deverberie
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt-bronze mantel clock by Deverberie French, c.1805 Measures: Height 67cm, width 54cm, depth 19cm This exceptional timepiece was made in Empire period Fr...
Ormolu