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.
French Empire Yellow Tole Lavabo
Located in Essex, MA
With a removable cover with gallery and finial, tapered body with spigot lacking handle, all above the rectangular basin.
Tin
Early 19th Century French Tole Monteith or Jardiniere Cachepot
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique early 19th century French tole monteith or jardiniere cachepot decorated with gilt bands in the neoclassical taste. With removable zinc liner. The top opening measures 10 1/4...
Metal
Italian Black & Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late-20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height. Larger Italian cachepot...
Metal
19th century French Empire Tole Monteiths or Cachepot Jardinieres
By Thomas Hope
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair antique early 19th century French Empire neoclassical tole monteiths or cachepot jardinieres circa 1820. Oval shape with handles at the side. Decorated with gold winged horses o...
Metal
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
Elegant brass "Regal Gold" Cachepot with feet, 1970s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Refined gold-plated brass cachepot with a classic and elegant design, embellished with a decorative worked band and shaped feet that give it a distinctive touch. The warm and bright ...
Brass
$550Sale Price / set|75% Off
Pair of Antique Vieux Paris Urns, Gilt Porcelain, Rustic Scenes, 1820
By Old Paris
Located in Savannah, GA
Hard paste porcelain with polychrome and gold leaf - iron bolt. Impasto decoration. Lovely colors. These classical form urns are clearly a pair, but not an identical pair. Each has a...
Porcelain
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet,...
Stone
Early 19th c. French Empire Salmon Tole Monteiths or Cachepot Jardinieres
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair antique early 19th century French Empire tole monteiths or cachepot jardinieres decorated with a garland of gold leaves on a salmon tan ground. Measure 12" across over handles x...
Metal
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
$4,800 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of urns feature neoclassical motifs, including acanthus leaves, egg and dart borders, and Bacchus mask handles. The Verde antico marble plinth bases are mounted wi...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.
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
Pair Empire Period North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, & Tôle-Peinte Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
An extremely rare and unusual Pair Of North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, and Tôle-Peinte Potted Hyacinths/Cachepots, Possibly Baltic, Circa 1815-1825. Each Modeled As A Tôle-Peinte Sp...
Crystal, Ormolu, Tin
Large Antique Pewter Cup Vase, Denmark circa 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Europe, a charming charming round shaped cup. We see this elegant pewter vessel filled with writing utensils, art supplies or petite floral bouquets.
Pewter
19th Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted Amethyst Crystal Scalloped Rim Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality 19th century Russian Empire period Dore bronze mounted amethyst crystal scalloped rim tazza/cache-pot. The crystal is of a beautiful rich amethyst purple color. The crystal is beautifully hand-cut and shaped with a scalloped rim. The crystal is mounted on an incredible dore bronze base with the finest quality. The base is all hand-burnished and matted with an acanthus leaf design and is resting on a square plinth with an acanthus leaf border. The Crystal is easily attributable to the Imperial Russian Glass...
Crystal, Bronze
1810s Empire Handmade Marked Porcelain Centerpiece
By G. Popov
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and extremely rare Empire period porcelain decorated with hand-painted designs. It has the original label on the base. "Silvio Ferrara ANTIQUARIO GIOIELLIERE Via Condotti" ...
Porcelain
$3,591Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Wall-Mounted Flower Basket in Scandinavian Design
Located in Greding, DE
A vase-shaped, semi-circular flower basket from the 19th century. The wall is adorned with intricate leaf motifs and rosettes, defined by vertical struts. A narrow beaded brass band ...
Wood
19th Century French Empire Jardinière With Fine Lyra Bronzes 1820–1825
Located in Epfach, DE
French Empire mahogany jardinière with fine bronzes, c. 1820–1825. Mahogany veneer on softwood with an original metal liner and bronze mounts. Original casters. This is a particularly elegant French Empire jardinière...
Bronze
$850Sale Price|29% Off
Tripod Cachepot Brass Bowl
Located in Sheffield, MA
Charmingly elegant antique Empire style brass bowl centerpiece on tripod hoofed feet and decorative handles in an 'abstract' animal form. Lovely aged brass patina all-over, can easil...
Brass
French Empire White & Gold Porcelain Flower Pot Cachepot Vase & Stand Circa 1820
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique early 19th century French Empire white & gold porcelain flower pot cachepot vase and stand, circa 1820. The vase with flared rim and drainage hole at the base; fits into a co...
Porcelain
$288Sale Price|20% Off
1900s Empire Style Urn Vase Pot, Rudolf Wächter, Germany
Located in Skien, NO
Elegant Vintage Empire-Style Urn Vase by Rudolf Wächter, 1960s A stunning Empire-style urn vase or jardinière pot in glazed porcelain, adorned with exquisite rose decorations encirc...
Porcelain
Large Vintage Tole Jardinière, Made In France
Located in Doraville, GA
A chic French gilded tole pedestal jardinière or cache pot with ring handles. Signed "Made In France". The chic jardinière is a commanding large size with a fine hand painted gilt fl...
Iron, Tin
19th c French Empire Carved & Gilt Wood Basketweave Demilune Jardiniere Cachepot
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 19th century French Empire carved and gilt wood basketweave demilune jardiniere cachepot. Crescent shape with deep carved wood made to simulate a woven basket. Wonderful old ...
Giltwood
Cast Iron Gilded Antique Urn or Jardiniere
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking antique cast iron urn, planter or jardiniere dating from the late 19th century. Originating from France, this 150-year-old, gilded urn is a showstopping piece with its bold black paint and gold colour contrasts. The design brings a sense of grandeur to any setting, detailed with masks among foliage and scrolls to both the front and the back and a pair of handles with stylised winged lion heads. This French urn makes an impressive display piece, the vibrant colours certain to draw any eye. Additional Information Base 8.66 x 8.66 inch (22 x 22 cm) Blue plinth...
Iron
Empire German Ormolu Mntd Mahogany Turtle Feet Jardiniere, Klinkerfuss & Münch
By Johannes Klinkerfuss
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic and Very Important Empire Period German Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Jardiniere Mounted on Dore Bronze Turtle Feet, In The Manner Of Johannes Klinkerfuss And Casimir Münch. This is truly a masterpiece jardiniere and was crafted by two of the greatest cabinet-makers of all time Johannes Klinkerfuss and Casimir Münch. This piece has an octagonal form with foliate and swan-decorated dore bronze hand-chiseled and two-tone matted gold gallery above a molded top. The gorgeous mahogany wood glistens beside the dore bronze mounts. Each inch of this piece is crafted of the finest quality. The upper mahogany jardiniere is mounted on eight gorgeously life-like top-quality dore bronze turtles, each hand-chiseled, chased and matted with two-tone gold. Stuttgart, Circa: 1815. Provenance: The Tony Ingrao...
Bronze
Beautiful Pair of Russian Imperial Glass and Ormolu Mounted Tazza Centerpieces
By Imperial Russia
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Russian Empire Imperial Glass Manufactury and ormolu mounted white opalescent tazza centrepieces, each white opaline bowl beautifully hand cut and hand polished in flutted design with ribbed border; the Ormolu very finely hand chisseled and finished in two tome dore bronze gold...
Bronze
Cachepots in porcelain circa 1870 signed H.B &Cie - Choisy le Roi pair.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of planters in porcelain circa 1870 signed in the base H.B & Cie - Choisy le Roi representing "Chimeras winged"
Porcelain
French Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in London, GB
A Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period Constructed in tole, being hand painted and decorated in the French Empire Neo-Classical manner of Jacques-Louis David; the...
Tin
Antique French Tole Handled Bucket/Cachepot 'Labors of Cupid'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French Tole Handled Bucket/Cachepot 'Labors of Cupid' France, Circa 1900 A delightful Antique French Tole Handled Bucket/Cachepot, dating back to the early 1900s, originatin...
Metal
19th Century Brass Jardinere or Cachepot for Kindling
Located in Middleburg, VA
19th Century brass jardinere or cachepot for Kindling Beautifully etched brass. Recently polished. Measures: 16" H, 13" diameter (22.5" H with handle...
Brass
French Tole Cachepot by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Limited production of French tole cachepot in chinoiserie style. Hand painted, available in different colors. Oval shaped with lion foot and lion ...
Tin
French Tole Cachepot by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Limited production of French tole cachepot in chinoiserie style. Hand painted, Available in different colors. Two versions: one with a Chinese sce...
Tin
French Tole Cachepot by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Limited production of French tole hand painted cachepot in chinoiserie style. Available in different colours and decorations. Round shaped with scalloped top.
Tin
French Tole Cachepot by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Limited production of French tole hand painted cachepot in chinoiserie style. Available in different colors. Round shaped with scalloped top.
Tin
French Tole Cachepot by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Limited production of French tole hand painted cachepot in chinoiserie style. Available in different colours and decorations. Round shaped with scalloped top.
Tin
French Tole Cachepot by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Limited production of French tole cachepot in chinoiserie style. Available with different decoration and colors. Conic shaped with scalloped top.
Tin
19th Century French Brass Jardinière or Planter
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French brass Jardinière or planter. Lovely antique French Napoleon III heavy weight brass jardiniere, planter or cachepot. This fantastic French planter is beautifully d...
Brass
Antique Indian Brass Cachepot c.1880
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique Indian Brass Cachepot c.1880 A good late 19th century Indian brass cachepot of rounded form, finely hand-engraved with scrolling foliate and floral decoration. Likely produ...
Brass
$1,251Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.7 in Dm 9.06 in
Antique Oriental Japanese Large Fine Quality Bronze Bowl Planter Jardinière
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique fine quality large Oriental Japanese bronze Jardinière planter bowl censor Meiji Period, 19th Century. Would look amazing in the right location and make a fabulous centre ...
Bronze
$769Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.12 in Dm 8.67 in
Antique Large Quality Art Nouveau Jardinière Bowl Censor Planter Japanese
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique large quality Art Nouveau Jardinière bowl censor planter Japanese Oriental mixed metal Meiji Period early 20th Century. Would look amazing in the right location and make a...
Metal
Circa 1815 French Tole Oval Cachepot or Jardiniere
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1815 French tole oval cachepot or jardiniere. Exceptionally elegant, raised on painted bronze lion paw feet; swan handles. Each side hand painted w...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 2.56 in W 9.65 in D 7.88 in
Cast iron jardiniere from Furudahl Järnbruk, Dalarna, Sweden. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Charming cast iron jardiniere from Furudahl Järnbruk (1709-1884), Dalarna, Sweden. Karl Johan, early 19th Century. Originally probably a spittoon. Wear consistent with age and use
Iron
Sold
H 5.625 in W 11.25 in D 4.12 in
19th C. French Empire Tole Pedestal Jardiniere Cachepot Urn With Floral Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of exquisite tôle peinte planters exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of 19th-century decorative arts. Each planter is crafted from hand-painted metal, featuring a r...
Metal
Sold
H 38.5 in W 21 in D 26 in
Massive French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Mounted Malachite Urn Jardinière 38"
Located in Dayton, OH
An opulent French Empire Style bronze ormolu mounted malachite urn or jardiniere. Features a rim cast with shells, foliage and bellflowers, the body centered on each side by a medall...
Malachite, Bronze
Sold
H 8.5 in W 10 in D 3.4 in
19th C. French Empire Tole Pedestal Jardiniere Cachepot Urn With Bronze Swans
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th Century French Empire style dark navy blue and gilt tole pedestal jardiniere or cachepot. This fine jardiniere has a hand painted Neoclassical landscape vignette on one side and a gilt torch and laurel...
Tôle
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Planter, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style gilt bronze planter, 19th Century. Empire style gilt bronze planter, 19th century. H: 9cm , W: 32cm, D: 16cm
Bronze
Sold
H 5.44 in W 11.82 in D 8.25 in
Italian Brass Plant Flower Planter Cachepot Jardinière Lion Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
An Italian brass flower or plant pot planter holder cachepot jardiniere with lion paw feet, in the Empire style, circa 20th-century, Italy. A great piece with a repousse and hammered design, finished with lion paw feet. Perfect to hold and display plants or flowers as shown in images. Piece could also be used as a centerpiece on a table, etc. Alternatively, piece could be used as a catchall container for mail, etc. Many uses, not just for plants or flowers. Marked 'Made in Italy' on underside as shown in last two images. Dimensions: 8.25" Depth x 11.82" Width x 5.44" Height. Small brass lion head...
Brass
Sold
H 6.5 in W 6.5 in D 3.75 in
French Empire 1860 Ormolu Bronze Display Compote and Baccarat Purple Cut Crystal
Located in Miami, FL
French Ormolu compote with Baccarat cut crystal. Beautiful and fantastic presentation table compote, created with mythological allegoric patterns in France, during the early period of the 3rd French Empire, Napoleon III (1852-1870), circa 1860. Carefully crafted in an oval-diamond shape with neoclassic designs in black patinated and gilded ormolu bronzes. All graciously mounted in a checkerboard base with four round sabots. Suited on top, with a removable oval shaped dish made by Baccarat in the rare purplish Amethyst color, with radial decoration and scalloped upper edge. Have a measures of 184 mm by 165 mm by 95 mm (7.25 x 6.5 x 3.75 Inches). Purple or Amethyst crystal, was given its color by adding manganese oxide to a molten glass mixture of sand, potash and lime. Purple or Amethyst glass is rare and difficult to made and should not be confused with clear antique glass that has changed color due to sun exposure. Rarely are antique bottles and glass...
Bronze, Ormolu
Classic Empire Style Jardiniere from the Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Classic Empire style jardiniere in brass and gilded brass. Made in Empire style, late 19th century. The old gilding is partially worn, bu...
Gold Plate, Brass
Sold
H 12.8 in W 6.89 in D 5.71 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Glass Figural Tazza or Bowl
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century French empire gilt bronze and glass figural tazza or bowl. A gilt bronze figure of a young female wearing an ancient Greek style peplum standing on a round faceted crystal glass base with a gilt bronze plinth. The figure is holding a wreath of flowers in one hand while the other one is supporting the crystal glass bowl which she is carrying on her head. The crystal glass bowl is of oval and ten-lobed shape, each lobe being decorated with a diamond cut. The combination of gilt bronze and crystal glass as sseen here was a special feature of the manufacturer L'Escalier de Cristal...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Empire Style Anthenienne Form Gilt Bronze and Glass Jardinieres
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very fine quality palace size Empire style Anthenienne form gilt bronze and glass jardinieres.
Bronze
Sold
H 32.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Empire Style Spaniard Cerámicas Bondia Set Of Large Jardiniere And Pedestal
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an olive green color set of large Spaniard Cerámicas Bondia Jardiniere and pedestal. The Jardiniere is decorated with a relief of Empir...
Ceramic