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 Style Custom Made Cabinet
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style custom made cabinet, hand made by Lion Crest Woodworking of Sarasota, FL. The cabinet top has rounded edges with a decorative beaded section in front. A single ...
Wood
French Empire Cuban Mahogany "Somno" Side Table, circa 1805
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful "Somno" side table made of high quality Cuban mahogany with a grey marble top. This French Empire piece dates from the early 19th century, circa 1805. Meaning sleep in ...
Mahogany
Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850 A walnut cabinet, mid-19th century, in the French style, with applied gilt brass mounts, on a shaped plinth base. ...
Glass, Walnut
Antique Napoleonic French Empire Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Wine Cabinet Armoire 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality French Empire Napoleonic period Mahogany & parcel gilt wine cabinet/armoire, circa 1810. Made of the finest mahogany this cabinet has the shape of a secretaire ab...
Bronze
Empire Pedestal Mahogany Cabinet with Faux Tortoise Columns, Denmark, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome and unusual form, this Empire pedestal cabinet in mahogany with line inlays has carved acanthus capitals on tapered torch-like columns that are in rich birch wood and have...
Ebony, Mahogany
Empire Fruitwood Vitrine Cabinet with Guillotine Glass Door
Located in New York, NY
Empire Fruitwood Vitrine Cabinet with Guillotine Glass Door. Fine Neoclassical fruitwood vitrine display cabinet with vertical sliding glass panel door àla guillotine above two draw...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Empire Mahogany Commode Two Doors Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
Striking mahogany 19th century Italian commode from the Empire period, circa 1815-1820. The straight, timeless shape combined with unique mahogany veneer makes this early 19th centur...
Metal, Iron
18th Century Fruitwood Continental Style Sideboard / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Crafted in the mid-18th century in the United States, this fruitwood continental style sideboard/cabinet exemplifies exceptional American craftsmanship. The cabinet features exterior...
Brass
Late Empire Flamed Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval pedestal cabinet, late empire. Mirror-cut flamed mahogany with beautiful grain. Door flanked by columns with wood-carved capitals. Behind the door 3...
Mahogany
Two-Part Corner Cabinet Portuguese, 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Two-part corner cabinet Portuguese, 19th century, made of oak wood. Upper section with two doors and interior shelves. Lower section with two doors. Signs of use. Dimensions: 198 x...
Wood
Abattant Secretary Desk began 20th-century Portuguese Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of mahogany root wood. Top section with two drawers, with a leather-covered flip-top, interior with a central door, four...
Wood
Large Late Empire Chatol Made In Mahogany From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
The large Late Empire hand-polished mahogany chatol with marquetry from the 1820s is an impressive piece of furniture that exudes an aura of elegance and historical significance. The...
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany bookcase cabinet with bronze trim and 2 glass doors.
Bronze
Chartol In Louis Seize Style Made In Oak & Brass From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique Louis Seize style chatol from around 1840. Oak with brass fittings. H: 190 cm, W: 117 cm, D: 55 cm. Classic 19th century furniture craftsmanship. — Origin: Europe (presumabl...
Brass
$14,500 / set
Pair of Italian Walnut Empire Cabinets
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Each cabinet all over veneered in book matched walnut. The central door flanked by carved columns with an ebonized and gilded finish.
Walnut
$3,262Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Late Empire North German Corner Cabinet In Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Senempire corner cabinet from Northern Germany, made of polished mahogany and dated to the 1840s, is a splendid representative of the elegance and sophistication typical ...
Mahogany
Rare Classical Empire Finely Carved Cellarette in Mahogany, circa 1830
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful form carved Classical Empire cellarette in mahogany with gadrooned edges, hinged top, zinc lined interior, and small brass decorative...
Zinc
Somno Cuban Mahogany Egg Cup
Located in Beaune, FR
Rare somno egg cup in Cuban mahogany opening with a door with a gray Sainte Anne marble top. Empire style, this somno is in good condition. Dimensions ...
Marble
$4,780Sale Price|20% Off
French Late 20th Century Louis XVI Period Mounted Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Miami, FL
An extremely high quality and elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI period mahogany and ormolu-mounted cabinet vitrine which is finished on all sides. The cabinet is raised by t...
Cherry
Large Empire Bureau Of Hand Polished Mahogany With Inlaid Wood from 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This grand Empire bureau is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 1820s, crafted from hand-polished mahogany adorned with intricate inlaid wood detailing. Its imposing pr...
Mahogany
Mobiletti impero francesi in Mogano con fregi in bronzo e piano in un bel marmo
Located in Cesena, FC
Coppia di mobiletti impero (1850 circa). Mobiletti impero francesi, in Mogano con fregi in bronzo, con colonna intera e piano in un bel marmo grigio, sportelli con ripiani interni. ...
Marble, Bronze
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
By David Linley
Located in Brussels, BE
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
Wood
Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
Impressive Empire style buffet by Maison Krieger French, circa 1900 Measures: Height 199cm, width 217cm, depth 66cm This magnificent Empire style c...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Fossilized marble cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Fossilized marble cabinet. This wonderful demi lune shaped cabinet is raised on four Mahogany block fe...
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Chiffonier Cabinet Mahogany Napoleon III 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Antique French Empire mahogany open front chiffonier with a dark green and white veined marble top and mirrored back plate This server or sideboard dates to Napoleon III 1890 It has ...
Mahogany
Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Buffet/Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and marble buffet/cabinet. The buffet is raised on two half round front and two back block supports below the straight apro...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Glass Cabinet/Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl walnut, ormolu and glass cabinet/vitrine. The vitrine is raised by fine bun feet below the straight support decorated ...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Polychrome and Fossilized Marble Cabine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany, polychrome and fossilized marble cabinet. The four door, three drawer cabinet is raised by fine block feet bel...
Marble
French 19th Century Empire St. Burl Elm, Ebony, Tulipwood, and Ormolu Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl elm, ebony, tulipwood, and ormolu cabinet. The large scale three door cabinet is raised by a straight base with an ...
Ormolu